Since we made our 2010 world cup superteam the buzz around the office for the world cup has been amazing.

So, we’ve decided to make a list of the Top 10 World Cup Matches of all time. Over the years, the World Cup has seen many unforgettable matches. From England’s first World Cup victory to Zinedane Zidane’s brain-snap in the 2006 Final against Italy, everyone has a favourite.

In anticipation of many more historic fixtures at South Africa this month, we here at OG have compiled our very own Top 10 list of the best World Cup matches.

Italy vs. France
2006: Final

Every football fan has a different take on the events of the 2006 World Cup Final. Some believe that Italy deserved to win, while others counter than a World Cup should never be won on penalties. No matter what your position is on the matter, you have to concede that the entire 120+ minutes of football were riveting.

Within seven minutes, the referee was pointing to the spot. France had won a penalty, and Zidane coolly converted. Not to be outdone, Italy changed tactics from their usual defence to attack, and reaped the reward of an equalizer in the 19^th minute. In the dying minutes of extra time, a derogatory comment from Marco Materazzi sent the French captain into a fury, and the ensuing head-butt has been shown around the world for the past four years.

Without Zidane, France faltered at the penalty shootout, ultimately losing 5-3 to see Italy claim their fourth title.

Korea Republic vs. Italy
2002: Round of 16

Throughout the entire 2002 World Cup campaign, questions were being raised about the neutrality of referees controlling Korea Republic matches. The host nation surprised many by finishing top of their group, with wins over Poland and Portugal. In their second round knockout match, they were to face Italy, who had performed poorly throughout the group stage.

Despite this, it was the Italians who took the lead care of an 18^th minute strike from Inter’s top scorer, Christian Vieri. The home side struggled through the remaining minutes, and didn’t look to have a chance for an equalizer. Then, just two minutes from the final whistle, young Seol Ki-Hyun tied things up and Korea Republic suddenly had all the momentum. They carried it into extra time, and managed to cause the biggest upset of the tournament when the Italian-based Korean midfielder Ahn Jung-Hwan scored a golden goal in the 117^th minute.

Argentina vs. England
1998: Round of 16

Undoubtedly the toughest Round of 16 fixture at the tournament, a clash of the titans saw England attempt to take revenge on the Hand of God incident that marred their 1986 Quarter Final against Argentina. The build-up to the game was sensational, with Argentina on a three-game unbeaten run and England intent on claiming vengeance.

Within 16 minutes, the ball had already struck the back of the net three times: Gabriel Batistuta’s 6^th minute penalty, Alan Shearer’s 10^th minute penalty, and a wonder strike from 18-year-old Michael Owen. An Argentinean equalizer in first half stoppage time saw things all square, but amazingly the second half was even more entertaining than the first.

David Beckham was given a red card, Sol Campbell had a goal disallowed, and Carlos Roa produced a number of fine saves for Argentina. A penalty shootout would decide the match, and it was England, once again, who would go home disappointed thanks two heroic stops from man of the match Roa.

Brazil vs. France
1986: Quarter Final

This battle has been hailed as the greatest World Cup match of all time by many football pundits. The two giants of the international scene met in the Quarter Final for what would be the last World Cup tournament for legends like Michel Platini and Zico.

Brazil started the game incredibly well, taking the lead through Careca before missing a number of opportunities to extend their slight lead. The French side were having none of it though, and Platini proved just how vital he was to his squad with a leveller in the 40^th minute.

The second half saw the Mexican stadium rattle with chants of “Zico!”, demanding that the Brazilian superstar be brought on as a substitute. After several missed opportunities from both sides, Tele Santana finally conceded and put Zico into the game. The aging veteran looked like a footballer reborn, eventually earning a penalty before seeing it saved by Joel Bats. Once again, penalties were required to determine the outcome, with France emerging victorious 4-3.

Argentina vs. England
1986: Quarter Final

As the match that started one of the fiercest rivalries in World Cup history, the 1986 World Cup Quarter Final between England and Argentina had everything: intensity, controversy, and the greatest goal of all time.

After a nervous and goalless first half, the second sprung into life with Diego Maradona helming the Argentinean attack. In the 51^st minute, Maradona scored what appeared to be an incredible header past the much taller Peter Shilton. Upon viewing the replay, however, it was clear that Maradona had used his hand instead, and in a later interview he coined the term Hand of God.

Despite the controversy, no-one could deny that Maradona’s second goal was not only legal, but one of the finest individual goals of all time. Swerving in between England’s finest players and leaving them all for dead, Maradona doubled his side’s lead and all but guaranteed them a spot in the Semi Finals. Even a Gary Lineker goal in the dying minutes couldn’t force England back into the game, giving Argentina the opportunity to go on and win the 1986 World Cup.

Brazil vs. Italy
1982: Second Round Group Stage

With both sides having beaten Argentina in their previous fixtures, this match was to determine who would qualify for the Semi Finals. Both teams boasted some of the greatest players in the world at that time, although Brazil were highly favored to win the entire tournament; they had already scored 13 goals in just four games, and needed just a draw to progress to the Semis.

Paolo Rossi, the most unlikely of Italian heroes at the time, took the virtually impossible task of beating the best national team at the World Cup into his own hands – or feet, as it were. His first two goals were cancelled out by equalizers from Socrates and Falcao, with the second looking to have turned the tables in Brazil’s favor. However, Rossi wasn’t done. In the 74^th minute, just six minutes after Falcao’s incredible goal, he completed his hat-trick and sent Italy on to win the World Cup, scoring another three goals in the final two games.

West Germany vs. France
1982: Semi Final

With Italy taking care of Poland in the corresponding Semi Final, it was down to West Germany and France to determine who would take on the giant killers in the 1982 World Cup Final. Both nations sported powerful teams, and the scoreline backed up the sentiment that either team could have gone on to win the title.

90 minutes of absorbing football ensued, with Pierre Littbarski’s 17^th minute goal quickly being cancelled out by a Michel Platini’s spot kick. No more goals followed in regular time, but the clash between German keeper Harald Schumacher and French defender Patrick Battiston, which left Battiston unconscious and without two teeth, caused an uproar amongst fans.

Surprisingly, both teams waited until extra time to produce the best football of the match. In an incredible six-minute period, France produced two goals and looked to be heading for the World Cup final. However, West Germany had their own magical six-minute period, scoring two of their own (including a fantastic bicycle kick from Klaus Fischer) and forcing the game into a penalty shootout. Need I even tell you who won? West Germany capped off a magical comeback by winning on penalties 5-4.

Italy vs. West Germany
1970: Semi Final

This clash is so internationally recognized that there’s even a monument outside of Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium that reads: The Azteca Stadium pays homage to the National Teams of Italy (4) and Germany (3), who starred in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, the “Game of the Century”.

Italy came into the match as hot favorites after crushing host nation Mexico 4-1 in their Quarter Final. West Germany were equally respected after taking down reigning world champions England 3-2 after extra time. The first 90 minutes were by no means the best of the tournament; in fact, Roberto Boninsegna’s bullet strike in the 8^th minute looked as if it was going to be the decider a few seconds from time. However, the Germans continued to search for an equalizer (Franz Beckenbauer even playing with his injured arm in a sling), and their efforts were rewarded when defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger scored with the final kick of regular time.

It was the extra 30 minutes of added time that caused such a sensation through the footballing world. The Germans celebrated in the 94^th minute after Gerd Muller swept the ball in the Italian net, but a quick two-goal fight back saw Italy take the lead before the end of the first period. Muller leveled things up at 3-3 with just 10 minutes to go, but Gianni Rivera scored straight after the kickoff to give the Italians all they needed for progression to the Final.

Portugal vs. North Korea
1966: Quarter Final

In their first ever World Cup, North Korea stunned everyone when they defeated Italy 1-0, thus eliminating the European giants from the competition. Facing Portugal, one of the strongest teams at the World Cup, the Asian squad’s blinding pace took their opponents by surprise, leading to one of the largest scorelines in a World Cup fixture.

Knowing they would have to make an immediate impact if they were to have any chance at winning, North Korea jumped out of the blocks and onto the score sheet within the first 60 seconds. Twenty minutes later they added another, and three minutes after that their third. Stunned, but never believing they were out of it, the Portugese took advantage of a North Korean side that continued to attack despite their massive lead. A couple of goals from Eusebio before half-time saw Portugal claw their way back into the match, and set themselves up for a thrilling second half.

Fans weren’t to be disappointed, as Eusebio continued his goal scoring dominance with another brace within three minutes, putting Portugal into the lead for the first time. A Jose Augusto strike just 10 minutes from time sealed the match, and North Korea’s dream run in the World Cup came to an end.

England vs. West Germany
1966: Final

That controversial England goal still causes debate amongst football fans the world over. In what was one of the most fiercely contested finals, England managed to rebuild their confidence after a late equalizer forced the teams into extra time.

Despite West Germany scoring the opener on 12 minutes, England were in control of the match for the majority of the 90 minutes, eventually taking the lead in the 78^th. With just a minute left to play in regular time, English fans were already celebrating their first ever World Cup victory, but Wolfgang Weber had other things on his mind. His 89^th minute equalizer sent the game into extra time, where Geoff Hurst completed a brilliant (if a little controversial) hat-trick to see England lift the World Cup. Did the ball really cross the line? You be the judge.

Every four years, fans are treated to a wealth of the most talented footballers on the international stage. The very best of the best come together for a chance to claim the ultimate prize in football, though most leave the tournament under a haze of disappointment.

We here at OG feel that these players deserve a bit of recognition, and what better way than naming the ultimate 2010 FIFA World Cup Super Team? The following is our selection of the best players that will be hitting South Africa this month, but we’d also love to hear your thoughts for a Super Team. Be sure to tell us your ideal Super Team made up of players attending the World Cup this year.

Our  2010 World Cup Dream Team

• Wayne Rooney
• David Villa
• Lionel Messi
• Cesc Fabregas
• Landon Donovan
• Franck Ribery
• Dani Alves
• Gerard Pique
• Nemanja Vidic
• Ashley Cole
• Gianluigi Buffon

Read more on the World Cup Superteam.

Lebron James is the biggest name free agent in the NBA since Shaquille Oneal left the Orlando Magic to join the Lakers in 1996.

His signature is the grand prize about to be chased by many teams this coming summer.

BetUS is offering odds on where the King will end up, and it’s surprising to see that his hometown Cavs are still favorite by a large margin. I’m pretty sure he is out of there!

Here’s how the odds stand today:

Which team will Lebron play with in his first game of the 2010/11 season?

Cleveland Cavaliers $1.80 (-125)
Chicago Bulls $3.50 (+250)
New York Knicks $4.00 (+300)
New Jersey Nets $4.00 (+300)
Miami Heat $9.00 ( +800)
LA Clippers $16.00 (+1500)
Charlotte Bobcats $21.00 (+2000)
LA Lakers $41.00 (+4000)
Phoenix Suns $51.00 ( +5000)

Will Lebron win MVP of the 2010/11 season?
Yes $3.50  (+250)
No $1.29 (-350)

Will Lebron win 2010/11 NBA Championship?
Yes $4.50 (+350)
No $1.20 (-500)

I was  really surprised that they’re only paying $4.50 to anyone that bets on Lebron to win the title in 2010/11.  According to our odds calculator, that is a 22.2% chance to win the title. A one in five chance! I’d want better odds than that before I had a bet.

Here’s some juicy tidbits about Lebron’s Free Agency

• I find it hard to believe he’ll leave $20m on the table by leaving Cleveland outright – a sign & trade could be more of a possibility
• That means teams with players to trade also come into the equation – Think Mavs & Lakers – interestingly BetUS is not offering odds on the Mavs…
• It would be tough to follow MJ’s legacy in Chicago and many people think Rose needs the ball in his hands too much to be a good fit.
• The Bulls & Heat have both retired #23, and coincidently Lebron is changing his number to #6 next season.
• The Knicks, Heat & Nets can all afford two top tier free agents.
• Lebron James loves the New York Yankees & Dallas Cowboys

To be honest I have no frickin’ idea where he will end up.  There’s so many factors involved! But I do know he’ll be the first NBA player ever to leave money on the table in the prime of his career if he leaves Cleveland as a free agent. That probably why the Cavs are so short as favorites…

Bet on Lebron’s future at BetUS.